SBP apologizes to basketball community: 'Violence has no place in sports'

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 3) — The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) has issued an apology for the incident during the FIBA World Cup qualifiers game between the Philippines and Australia.

Members of both countries figured in a free-for-all on-court brawl that resulted to the ejection of 13 players at the Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan.

"It was unfortunate that things got out of hand. It could have been prevented if the referees had tightened officiating to better control the game," he said.

On the other hand, Chief Executive of Basketball Australia Anthony Moore was disappointed with the incident and their team's participation in it.

"We are extremely disappointed with what happened and our role in it. This is not the spirit in which sport should be played and certainly not in the spirit in which we aim to play basketball. We apologise to our fans and will await the penalties to be handed down."